Ars Nova - Sunshine & Shadows

Ars Nova were a classical/progressive rock band formed in New York in 1967 that only existed for two years. This is a song from their second and final album released in June 1969.
Members: Wyatt Day (guitar & vocals), Warren Bernhardt (keyboards), Sam Brown (lead guitar), Joe Hunt (drums, percussion), Art Koenig (bass), Jimmy Owens (trumpet), Jon Pierson (bass, trombone & vocals).

[MB-jgtr]

Such a great song. Excellent album. Keep coming back.

[bobbysimons]

I saw them live, 1969 at either the Bitter End or the Cafe a Go Go in Greenwich Village.

[rzamorauk]

This album is an absolute gem.  I prefer this one than the first album.  You can hear many different styles, and enchanting songs.  it’s a shame they were not appreciated as they deserved!

[magnarius]

Everybody likes a song of this caliber.

[Argonaut]

I bought this album back in '69 but never heard it played anywhere; nor did I know anyone else who'd ever heard of the band. Nice to see hear it again.

[dlagrua]

A group with great talent and good songs that unfortunately did not achieve commercial success. They were very unique and had a distinctive sound. AFAIK they seldom if ever performed live.

[TJO]

I heard this group for the first time a few days ago on Cleveland 91.1. A song called Automatic Love. It was very very good and I really enjoyed it. I'm hearing Sunshine and Shadows now for the first time here and I like it too. Very creative use of various instruments!! I may have to try and purchase their cd's.

[nottoberemembered]

I heard of these guys from a brief mention in Alan Watts's collected letters. I can imagine him tripping out with Tim Leary, discussing philosophy, America's efferts to criminilize LSD and tunes to listen to while high. Madness.

[Lucija]

Glad you like it...
Yeah, it's quite obscure band, but there are some really good tracks on this album...
They use trumpet and trombone - similar to horn. :-)

[mayumiyamamoto]

Big smile on my face..I was a room mate of Sam to brown..and answered the phone one day.. when when the office of macarty called and wanted Sam to play with wings..
Sam gave the gig to a friend.. those were the days...

[texleeger]

I heard these guys on Boston's WBCN back in 1967 and I purchased their epnymously named first album immediately. Alas, they only made two and the second album had very different personnel after their initial break up soon after the Fillmore gig with the Doors. This band deserved a better fate than the obscurity their music now dwells in.
PS Give a listen to Ultimate Spinach, Beacon Street Union, and Orpheus for a slice of Boston's progressive rock of the late 1960s. Alas, these bands did not last long either. Seemed the fate of too many bands of that era. Oh, and, or course, there was the Standells with their "Dirty Water" (1965) which is still associated with post game victory revels of present day Red Sox and Bruins hockey.

[endangeredrecord]

their is a third sorta ars nova album! terminal barbershop "hair styles" on atco records released in 1969 . with the Wondrous Joy Clouds ; arr. & cond. by Wyatt Day & Jon Pierson. Production notes: "Recorded live and naked at Mayfair Sound Studios, New York". some others from 2nd album played also including pierson on bass trombone . variations on the musical play " hair " . i sent a copy to jon pierson several years ago as he could not find a copy !

[kencolvin]

got the first lp. I always liked them.thanks.

[tobiaswildenmusic]

Wow, didn't know them yet, solid sound. Instrumental a bit like the relatively clean rivers but with a striking solo guitar and horn(?!), great.^^ Thanks for sharing :-)

[barryonedrop]

Saw them open for the Doors in 1968 at the Fillmore East

[mayumiyamamoto]

lived with ..Sam.. great player interesting times!..

[tobiaswildenmusic]

Ah, sure... i should read the description more precisely ;-) Next time^^ I like the obscure gems, hope to discover some more artists watching videos on your channel :-) This one played its way up to my wishlist

[jceedrummer]

My Uncle Art was the bass player. They apparently influenced Blood Sweat and Tears

[TheRaizen]

the verse to this song sounds similar to "The Lunatic is on the grass..." Pink Floyd song.

[KeithOtisEdwards]

These guys had good management, because I vaguely recall that a national magazine (Life?) had a long profile about them.
But I confess that, like most young people, I immediately chose punk rock (Clash, Damned, Radio Birdman, Iggy, Rabodes) over this genteel stuff.